Fishing bodies worried about new 'box' talks

Irish fishing industry organisations have expressed "deep concern" over final discussions on the new "Irish box" in Luxembourg…

Irish fishing industry organisations have expressed "deep concern" over final discussions on the new "Irish box" in Luxembourg today.

Today's talks are due to agree fishing proposals within the new, smaller "box" or special fishing conservation zone off the south and west Irish coast, and the waters around it.

The three main fishing groups, the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation, the Irish South and West Fishermen's Organisation and the Irish Fish Producers' Organisation, say that the proposals within the "box" itself are "reasonable", but have warned that there is a considerable risk of increased pressure by British and French shellfish vessels and French and Spanish whitefish vessels in the surrounding waters.

The proposals are based on past records, and the organisations say that Spain, France and Britain appear to be "taking great liberties" with their figures.

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The European Commission must reject countries which are taking this approach, the organisations say.

Press told to leave open air wedding

The tiny fishing harbour of Kilmackillogue on the Beara Peninsula in south Kerry played host to an open air wedding ceremony this weekend, where among the chief guests were Mrs Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, the daughter of the late president John F. Kennedy, and her family. An hour-long open air marriage blessing of Ms Elaine Diane Kennelly and Mr Alonzo Church Addison took place on the public picnic area at the waterfront.

Although no gardaí were present, both the press and members of the public were approached about their presence on the pier. The press were told "you should leave" when they tried to enter the picnic area.

Donegal rally revellers arrested

Twenty eight people were arrested in Letterkenny, Co Donegal on Friday and Saturday night as the town experienced its busiest weekend of the year with numbers being swelled by thousands who attended the Shell Donegal International Rally. Most of those arrested were released on their own bail to appear at Letterkenny District Court on July 15th.Tourism representatives estimate the rally is worth almost €10m to the local economy.

Fault forces plane to land at Shannon

A new Airbus jet, with 328 people on board, was forced to divert to Shannon on Saturday after the pilot reported a "technical problem" .

The Airbus flight had originated in Barcelona and was travelling to Denver, USA, via Frankfurt. Aer Rianta confirmed that the pilot did not declare an emergency but did divert to Shannon. After a check the plane continued to Denver.

Counterfeit DVDs and CDs seized

Gardaí yesterday arrested two men following the seizure of €25,000 worth of counterfeit CDs and DVDs when they raided a stall at a car boot sale in Co Cork over the weekend.

Detectives from Fermoy backed up by uniformed officers arrested two men in their 30s from the Dundalk area at Castletownroche in north Cork.